Loose Cannon

Tour of Duty 1st June 2017 to 10th June 2017
Part I: The Flight North 1st June

Got word about another trip and a flight was booked. I got transport to LGB and checked in. There was no queue upon checking in and my bags weighed 45.5 and 35.5lbs. I cleared security and was not given Pre Check. There was a queue at security. I was asked to keep electronics out. Due to time constraints I did not opt out. It took 19 minutes from beginning of check in to clear of security.

Southwest #1200 LGB-OAK B-737-700 Boarding Pass B58
Seat 16F Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time 1:00, actual 0:56
Depart: Gate 2 Scheduled 14h55, actual 14h49 Taxi/hold: 14 minutes
Arrive: Gate 20 Scheduled 16h10, actual 16h03 Taxi: 4 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 15-17 minutes after arrival

I boarded via rear stairs as did a number of other passengers. I found one of the last if not the last window seat at row 16. The load was 121/143 so there were a number of middle seats open but not next to me. It was announced it was 72F and cloudy at OAK but it was expected to clear up by the time we got there.

Pushback was 6 minutes early followed by takeoff to the northwest. We crossed Interstate 710 as we entered clouds at 1min15sec after takeoff. We broke above same clouds at 1min23sec after takeoff. Then clouds ended and I saw part of the LA Basin including Hawthorne Airport, LAX and Marina del Rey at 0:04. Then I saw West Los Angeles and the Sepulveda Pass followed by the San Fernando Valley. I saw Castaic Lake at 0:10 followed by the interchange of Interstate 5 and California 138 and Gorman, CA at 0:12.

I saw the split between Interstate 5 and California 99 at 0:15 and seatbelt sign went off at the same time. I saw Bakersfield at 0:18. At 0:25 I got cup of soda and bag of pretzels over the San Joaquin Valley. At 0:29 I saw the Lemoore Naval Air Station. I felt descent begin at 0:32. At 0:36 seatbelt sign went on and descent was announced. It was announced our ETA was 5 minutes early. I saw California 152 at 0:38 over the San Luis Reservoir and I saw Santa Nella at 0:39. I saw Livermore at 0:46 and we crossed Interstate 680 and I saw Mt. Diablo at 0:48. We were over Fremont at 0:50. We landed south to north and arrived at gate 7 minutes early. We deplaned via jetway.

Loose Cannon

After I got my checked bags from baggage reclaim I went outside and got transport to the shipper in Antioch. Unfortunately the arrival time coincided with the worst of the afternoon/evening commute traffic.

Loose Cannon

Part II: Trip Behind the Zion Curtain; Layover
1st June to 4th June

Trip: Antioch, CA to Salt Lake City, UT 710 miles
Make: 2015 Peterbilt
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard straight 10-speed
Route: California 4 to California 160 to California 12 to California 99 to Interstate 80 Business to Interstate 80
Maximum altitude: 7,227 feet Donner Summit Interstate 80 10 miles west of Truckee, CA
Highest diesel price USA: 2.859$ per gallon at Flying J Fernley, NV
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.519$ per gallon at Sinclair Wendover, NV
Permits required: NV Trip Permit

I arrived at the shipper for an after hours pickup. I loaded my gear and did inspection then I walked to Costco where I got a hot dog, soda and pizza for evening rations. Afterward I did some final planning then headed out. Traffic was not an issue as it was late enough. I had some issues getting a room but finally booked one on the south side of Sacramento off the 99. I spent the night in Sacramento, CA.

Friday I got rolling and started the long tedious ascent toward Donner Summit. I stopped at Gold Run and Nyack before topping Donner Summit. I stopped at the Petro in Sparks, NV and availed myself of the Seafood Buffet for evening rations. I had Crab Legs, Top Sirloin Steak, Pork Loin, Catfish and Shrimp. Afterward I continued on to Fernley, NV where I took on fuel. Then I continued east and spent the night in Winnemucca, NV.

Saturday I pressed on and topped four summits in Nevada before descending into Wendover where I took on fuel. I received word that the next trip would pick up in Salt Lake City on Monday and that truck was going to Borger, TX. I charged east across the salt flats and stopped at the rest area near Aragonite, UT to see the sunset. Then I headed to Tooele, UT where I took on fuel for the final time. Then I headed into Salt Lake City and stopped by hotel where I checked in and offloaded as much of my gear as possible. Afterward I headed to the receiver where I did an after hours drop around midnight. I got transport back to the hotel and spent the night in Salt Lake City, UT.

Sunday I was absolutely beat so I spent much of the day in bed resting and trying to stay cool as it was hot out with an expected high of 97F. I did get cleaned up in the afternoon and got transport and attended the evening service at Heritage Baptist Church. The message was about our influence on other people as our influence could be either good or bad. After the service one of the parishioners gave me a ride back to hotel. Then I walked to another hotel and had evening rations at their restaurant. I had Ribs, Baked Potato and Broccoli. I spent the night in Salt Lake City, UT.

Loose Cannon

Part III: From The Intermountain West to the Texas Panhandle
5th June to 8th June

Monday I got trip information and when ready I got transport to the shipper in Salt Lake City. While there I saw another driver who was getting a truck going to Decatur, Alabama. The truck I was taking to Texas was blocked in so someone had to move another truck then I backed the truck out, loaded my gear and did the safety inspection. This truck was a used truck with a lot of wear and tear so there were a lot of little issues. When I turned the air on it was stuck on the "defrost" mode no matter what I did with the controls.

Trip: Salt Lake City, UT to Borger, TX 845 miles
Make: 2008 International
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard straight 10-speed
Route: Interstate 215 to Utah 201 to Interstate 80 to Interstate 25 to Interstate 270 to Interstate 70 to US287 to Texas 152
Highest elevation: 8,640 at Sherman Summit Interstate 80 10 miles east of Laramie, WY
Highest diesel price USA: 2.839$ per gallon at Flying J Salt Lake City, UT and Rawlins, WY
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.359$ per gallon at CEFCO Stinnett, TX
Permits Required: WY Trip Permit

I headed to the Flying J and took on fuel. Then I headed up Parley's Canyon and after topping Parley's Summit I made a pit stop at truckstop in Park City. Then I headed to Wyoming and stopped at the Port of Entry in Evanston where I got Trip Permit. I encountered rain and lightning from a point east of Lyman and Fort Bridger, WY to a point west of Little America, WY. I stopped in Rock Springs, WY where I saw the sunset and got evening rations. Then I continued east and took on fuel in Rawlins. I got a rain shower while driving from truck stop to hotel but it quit and I spent the night in Rawlins, WY.

Tuesday I continued east and got more rain in Laramie, WY. I headed into Cheyenne where I took on fuel then started south on Interstate 25. I stopped in Frederick, CO for evening rations and also to allow traffic in Denver to die down. Then I continued south on the 25, diagonal on the 270 and east on the 70. When I got on the 70 traffic was slow due to construction and lane closure. I made pit stop in Watkins then continued east on the 70 and after dark I saw lightning to the distance. I got the last hotel room in Limon where I spent the night.

Wednesday I cleared the weigh scale then started my run south on US287. I made stops in Hugo and Kit Carson, CO where I had midday rations. Then I stopped in Lamar, CO for a rest. Afterward I went through Springfield and Campo, CO before entering the panhandle of Oklahoma. I took on fuel in Boise City, OK and had evening rations there. Upon leaving I saw lightning to the distance. I made it to Dumas, TX where I spent the night.

Thursday I headed back through Dumas and caught Texas 152 east and stopped in Stinnett for a few gallons of fuel to get the fuel level right for delivery. Then I headed into Borger and made it to the receiver where I completed delivery. Then one of the people from the receiver gave me a lift to AMA Rick Husband International Airport Amarillo, TX.

Loose Cannon

Part IVA: Long Way Home
8th June to 9th June

I arrived at Rick Husband International Airport Amarillo, Texas the afternoon of Thursday 8th of June. I checked for possible trips online and saw nothing that would be economical to get to and do. A rental car was booked from AMA to Denton, Texas as I originally thought that I would be doing a trip from Denton to La Porte, Texas. However I received word that trip canceled as the truck move was postponed indefinitely. Consequently I went to the Enterprise desk to get the rental car but I asked that the drop location be changed from Denton to DAL. A flight was booked from DAL to LAX the afternoon of 10th of June. It was more economical to do the rental car and two hotels and fly home from DAL as opposed to flying home from AMA as fares from AMA are exorbitant.

I got in the rental car and stopped at Flying J to get some soda. Then I got on the 40 for a short distance before transitioning to US287 for the trek down to the Metroplex. This was not the first time I ever took the 287 but it was the first time in a long time. I made numerous stops to take pictures of various towns along the way. I first started with Claude then Clarendon then Memphis before stopping in Estelline for evening rations at Cowboy Roys BBQ. I had a chat with the owner who also sported a beard. He comped me a BBQ Brisket sandwich which had some burnt meat because it was the last of the brisket that he had. Afterward I continued to Childress where I took more pictures then on to Quanah where I took more pictures in the fading twilight. I stopped for petrol in Vernon and paid 2.079$ per gallon for unleaded. Then I continued to Wichita Falls and as I checked into hotel I saw lightning to the distance. I spent what turned out to be a stormy night in Wichita Falls, TX.

Friday I headed to downtown Wichita Falls and took some pictures of downtown. Then I got back on the 287 and headed straight toward the Metroplex. Due to time constraints I did not stop to take any more pictures of any more towns as I needed to turn in the car within the 24 allotted hours plus the grace period. I did have time to stop by hotel and check in and offload my gear then I hit a filling station and petrol was a little higher at 2.199$ per gallon but sill cheap compared to California. I turned in the car then had a long wait for the airport shuttle from the hotel. Once back in the hotel I got settled in. Then I took a walk along Mockingbird Lane and had evening rations at Smokey John's BBQ. Afterward I walked back to hotel. I spent the night in Dallas, TX.

Loose Cannon

Part IVB: Long Way Home
10th June

Saturday 10th of June I awoke and showered. It was a warm and humid day in the Metroplex and I felt some discomfort when I stepped outside. I got morning rations at the hotel lobby. I had sausage and biscuits. Then I went back to room and got my things together for the flight. Then I got the luggage cart and brought my gear to the lobby. I got the shuttle to DAL.

I checked in and checked my bags which weighed 44.5 and 33.0lbs. I relaxed some before going through security as I had more than plenty of time before the flight. When I did go through security there was a short queue. As I did not have Pre Check I opted out and was patted down. After clearing security I got some midday rations. First I went to Dickey's Barbecue Pit and got a large Beef Brisket sandwich plus fruit punch. Then I went to Whataburger to get a medium order of french fries. Whataburger's fries and milk shakes are fine but I cannot stand their burgers though I will have their chicken sandwiches. I was tracking my flight which was coming in from LIT.

Southwest #4160 DAL-SAT B-737-700 Boarding Pass A40
Seat 22F Cruising altitude 30,000 feet Estimated flying time 0:45, actual 0:42
Depart: Gate 5 Scheduled 15h45, actual 15h41 Taxi: 7 minutes
Arrive: Gate A14 Scheduled 16h45, actual 16h33 Taxi: 3 minutes

We boarded via jetway. The plane was full. It was announced that it was partly cloudy and 84F at SAT. Pushback was 4 minutes early followed by takeoff to the south southeast. I saw downtown Dallas almost immediately along with various Interstates then parts of the Metroples before turning southwest. I saw Interstate 35W and what may have been Alvarado, TX at 0:08.

I saw Waco, TX at 0:14 along with Interstate 35 and Temple, TX and Belton, TX at 0:17. At 0:18 I got cup of soda abreast of Belton, TX then clouds increased. I felt descent begin at 0:21. I saw the Austin area partly blocked by clouds at 0:23. We made various turns, crossed US281 on final and landed to the east southeast. We arrived at gate 12 minutes early.

Thru passengers were instructed to stay seated until other passengers deplaned and a count was made. It appeared there was some difficulty with the count but there were at least 43 and as many as 46 thru passengers. After the count I changed my seat to 4A. Because of the high number of thru passengers I imagine that some people who boarded at SAT experienced the nasty surprise of being stuck in a middle seat with a "B" boarding pass.

Southwest #4160 SAT-LAX B-737-700 Thru Passenger
Seat 4A Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:41, actual 2:41
Depart: Gate A14 Scheduled 17h25, actual 17h17 Taxi: 10 minutes
Arrive: Gate 12A Scheduled 18h30, actual 18h22 Taxi: 13 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 25 minutes after arrival

The plane was almost full with perhaps a few spare middle seats but not one next to me. It was announced there were west winds of 15mph and it was 60F and cloudy at LAX. Pushback was 8 minutes early and takeoff was to the east southeast. I saw the junction of Interstate 410 and 35 then we made a sharp "u" turn to the left and I saw Interstate 410 and US281. I saw Interstate 10 heading to the northwest and I saw Kerrville, TX and the Guadelupe River at 0:10.

At 0:20 seatbelt sign went off upon reaching cruise and it was announced we may arrive ahead of schedule. Drink orders were taken at 0:28. I got Wheat Thins at 0:37 and at the same time I saw what may have been Del Rio, TX to the distance. There were some clouds then clouds broke and I saw what looked to be desert below. At 0:47 I got cup of soda. At 1:01 I saw the Rio Grande and at 1:02 I saw the eastern outskirts of El Paso, TX. At 1:03 I saw the junction of Interstate 10 and Loop 375 on the east side of El Paso. I also saw Juarez, Mexico and sand dunes farther into Old Mexico. At 1:04 I saw the bridge between the USA and Mexico and at 1:05 I saw part of downtown El Paso and the Sun Bowl. Then we went over the empty desert of New Mexico.

At 1:13 I got second cup of soda. At 1:38 clouds blocked the view below but according to the flight tracker we were abreast of Tucson, AZ. I saw Casa Grande, AZ and the junction of Interstate 8 and 10 at 1:44. Then I dozed off for a little while.

At 2:07 we crossed the Colorado River into California airspace north of Blythe. At 2:12 I saw Interstate 10 to the south and I saw we were abreast of Desert Center, CA and the Salton Sea was to the distance. At 2:15 I saw Chiriaco Summit which appeared as a little dot below and to the near distance. I thought I felt descent at 2:17 and clouds blocked the view below.

Seatbelt sign went on and descent was announced at 2:19 while in clouds. It was announced it was 66F and partly cloudy at LAX. I saw junction of Interstate 10 and California 62 at 2:21. I saw the Morongo Casino and Cabazon at 2:22. We were abreast of Banning at 2:24 and Beaumont at 2:25 and I saw the split between Interstate 10 and California 60. I saw Lake Perris at 2:27 and I saw Hemet/San Jacinto and Diamond Valley Lake farther to the distance at the same time. I saw Moreno Valley and March Air Force Base at 2:28. I saw Lake Mathews at 2:29 while over Riverside.

We crossed Interstate 15 at 2:31 and I saw Corona and Norco. We crossed California 71 at 2:32 and I saw Chino Hills. We crossed California 57 at 2:34 and I saw the Marine Layer to the distance. Then I saw Whittier. We crossed Interstate 605 at 2:36. We crossed Interstate 710 at 2:38. We crossed Interstate 110 at 2:39. We crossed Interstate 405 at 2:41 and I saw the Proud Bird restaurant on short final. We landed east to west on the south side of the airport. We arrived at gate 8 minutes early and deplaned via jetway. After I got my checked bags at baggage reclaim I went outside to get transport home and the sea breeze sure felt good. This tour of duty came to an end as I arrived home.

Loose Cannon

More Pictures...Southwest #4160 SAT-LAX 10th June 2017
El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico
Somewhere over Arizona
Morongo Casino Cabazon, California
Hemet area and Diamond Valley Lake, California
Chino Hills/Corona/Santa Ana Canyon area, California
La Habra/Fullerton, California
Whittier/Santa Fe Springs, California
Downey, California Looking south along Interstate 605 with junction of Interstate 105
south Los Angeles, California and junction of Interstate 110 and 105
Proud Bird restaurant seconds before landing

drminn

Always liked your reports, the upgrade to pics is ^^^

gaobest

Great TR as always - glad you got the hotel room in Limon. I enjoyed the truck pictures because I assumed you hauled 53' type trailers with warehouse cargo and now it looks like you haul commodity cargo like oil or other liquid cargo.

adampenrith

Interesting trip report as usual.

The "ZION CURTAIN" can you explain that?

I have been a Zionist for over 50 years and never heard that term.

TIA

Mwenenzi

Maybe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zion_National_Park

Sometimes I put Loose Cannon's route into google maps to see where he has been

adampenrith

That was an option in google, but no exact hit, on Zion Curtin.

Loose Cannon

In this case I meant Utah because of the heavy concentration of Mormons. By the way I'm not a Mormon.

adampenrith

Thank you for your explanation, still confused with the link between Zionism and Mormons.

I wasn't being judgmental on your Mormonism or lack of Mormonism !

CarlTheWebmaster

Nice report. Love the pics and details!